Thumb sucking discouraging device



Aug. 12, 1952 M. SIMON 2,606,554

THUMB SUCKING DISCOURAGING DEVICE Filed Sept. 17, 1949 Patented Aug 12, 1952 UNITED -STATES PATENT: OFFICE J l. i 2,606,554

THUMB SUCKING DIS COURAGING DEVICE Moe 'Simon, Passaic,'N. J. v

Application September 17, 1949, Serial No. 116,367

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a thumb sucking preventing device for children.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement for use with children which can be applied to the elbows of the child and which allows a certain amount of freedom of the arms to permit them to be bent, but when they are bent in such a manner as to permit the thumb to be placed in the mouth the tension upon the elbows is such that the child will not keep the thumb in the mouth for very long, the tension of the pad at the elbow being such as to cause the child to desire to straighten the arm after a period of a few seconds.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a thumb sucking preventing device adapted to be placed over the elbows of the child which does not require elastic material which would stop the circulation or would leave any marks on the arm, that will permit the child to have as much freedom as possible, that is free of chemicals so as not to dis-color the childs arm, and without metal or a hard substance which would impair the childs use of the arm or make injury to the arm.

Still other objects of the present invention are to provide a thumb sucking preventing device for children which is of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture, has a minimum number of parts, easy to keep clean, sanitary, easy to apply and efficient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is an illustrative view showing the thumb sucking preventing device connected to the arms of an infant.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device free of the infant's arms.

Fig. 3 is an illustrative view showing the filler and flexible element being taken from the pocket.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional View taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention.

Referring now to the figures, represents a pocket having an opening ll therein and a flap [2 with a button opening 13 therein. This flap is extended downwardly over a button I 4 and can be made secure to the main part of the pocket IE3. This pocket is of substantial width so as to substantially surround the infants arm. On the outer face of the pocket are straps l5 and I6 extending parallel to one another and stitched g 2 V v to the pocket so as to receive flexible securing straps H and I8 which run parallel toone another and through openings in the straps i5 and I6. By means of these flexible straps H and 18, the pocket can be made secure upon the infants arm.

Within the pocket there is placed a large flexible, but rather stiff piece of material I9. This material is made preferably of rubber or latex or any other material which will return to its original shape when bent. The piece can be easily removed for the purpose of cleaning the same and to permit the pocket to be removed. The pocket material is preferably of cloth and such that it can be easily cleaned or washed. The rubber piece will permit the child to still use his arm to bring the thumb to the mouth, but the stiffness is such that he will soon tire and will not keep the thumb in the mouth for a very long interval of time. The piece I9 can be made of any thickness, depending upon the strength of the child. Accordingly, the idea is not that of a brace, but one which still permits freedom of movement of the arm. Each of the straps I1 and I8 have a buckle 2| and the ends of these straps connect with the buckle. Preferably the sides of the pocket and the sides of the piece l9 are tapered to better conform to the shape of the arm.

In Fig. 5 there is shown a modified form of the invention wherein the hard button [4 is dispensed with. A flap 23 is provided with a tongue 24 which will be extended beneath strap [1.

All children resent a brace or band of any kind around any part of the arm which will retard the movements of the arms. The present arrangement permits free movement of the arms and even the flexing of the arms at the elbow, but

' when the flexing takes place to a great angle such that the thumb reaches the mouth of the child, great tension is given to the rubber piece l9 tending to return the forearm and will cause the child to tire quickly, so that the thumb is not kept to the mouth for any length of time.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of my invention, what is claimed is:

l. A thumb sucking discouraging device for infants comprising a pocket having a flap thereon, button means for securing the flap in place, a. resilient rubber sheet inserted in the pocket and infants comprising a pocket, a rubber sheet inserted in the pocket, a flap on the pocket having a tongue, first strap-s disposable around the arm of the infant for securing the pocket to the arm of the infant, said tongue being insertable under the said first straps to hold the flap in place On the arm, and second straps extending in the longitudinal direction of the arm upon the pocket and secured thereto providing spaced openings for the said first straps to be threaded 20 through the spaced openings of the second straps and aboutthe arm of the infant.

4. A thumb sucking discouraging device for infants comprising a pocket having a flap thereon, means for securing the flap in place, a resilient rubber sheet inserted in the pocket and retained therein, and strapped means for securing the pocket to the arm of the infant.

MOE SIMON.

, REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,452,998 Bowers Apr. 24, 1923 1,635,230 Spicer July 12, 1927 1,796,869 Herwitz Mar. 17, 1931 2,139,897 Kessler Dec. 13, 1938 2,204,235 Shelton June 11, 1940 2,279,296

Bresnick Apr. 14, 1942 

